Blog Entries With Tag: unicorn

Okay that title in brackets almost sounds like Gangnam Style – I don’t have many sweet things in the house for after dinner indulgence. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a diabetic or the way my Mum was (fresh fruit or occasional Betty Crocker mix in it’s own box cake were her favs for us). I just know that sometimes I get that urge to have something I consider sinful (e.g. ice cream is a rarity in my freezer – usually it gets freezer burn as I forget I have some).

So, lately, I’ve been playing around with recipes I’ve found online for making a brownie in a mug. The best one so far, that I came across is from Simply Recipes. It’s a no brainer. The only thing I did with it though – due to the carb count of the ingredients was a) make 1 portion into 2 nice sized treats; and b) go full out with making it gluten free as possible (I’m still new at this – so don’t shout me if there’s a hint of gluten in recipe below).

No, I have not been diagnosed with celiac. Though it seems many Type 1 diabetics are being diagnosed with it (and there’s a new test from Australia that says “ it doesn’t require a month or more of eating gluten or painful intestinal biopsies” along more accuracy of diagnosis). All I know is, that sometimes I’m finding I have a few of the symptoms of possible wheat intolerance – despite not eating masses of bread – and wonder …. am I or am I not allergic to gluten? So far, I’ve had no success in having my endo say yes to testing (some of my T1 diabetics online mates have said I should get it done – even in my later stages of life with diabetes). For now, while I learn to deal with some other new health problems in my life – I just skip along merrily – and deal with having a yummy brownie in a mug that doesn’t make my #BGnow go wacko afterwards and makes me smile!

So with a drum roll …. here’s my easy peasy recipe – that hopefully you will find as yummy as I do. Feel free to play around with the type of flour you want – just like I did. Also, I have made it with 50/50 sugar & Splenda – but that was only when using mixture of wheat/rice flour. It was great – but if I’m going to have something sweet – I might as well go all the way – with the real thing (see my little notes of other sweetners I've used below)!!!

¼ cup sugar (I’ve played around with using Maple Flakes – which is lower in carbs then regular sugar along with added vitamins/minerals in it that are natural. I’ve even used my home made version of lavender sugar ).

2 Tbsp of cocoa (natural, unsweetened)

Pinch of salt (like you’d throw over your shoulder for good luck – careful – not that big a pinch)

Tiny pinch of cinnamon (I love cinnamon!!!)

1/4 cup of water

2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil (Simply Recipes recommended not to use olive oil due to taste factor - but I have - along with trying it out with Organic Coconut Oil from this company)

Place flour(s), sugar, cocoa, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl (see pictures). Stir with a fork to mix well. Next add oil, water, and vanilla to bowl. Mix well with a fork until the mixture is smooth and there are no clumps. Take TWO mugs and divide mixture into them. Place in a microwave (I do each one individually) – heat on HIGH for 1 minute. If you go more than 30 secs over – mixture may be too dry. I find 1 minute makes it purrfectly yummy texture – not overly dry – not overly goopy. Of course, this all depends on your microwave! As the original recipe states at Simply Recipes – “it should still be moist when cooked through not dry”. Let cool for a minute and serve with one of the toppings above.

To see a FULL set of pictures of this recipe along with extra descriptiions and tips - go to this link - and promise me - when you get there ...

Well, while having to cope with lack of energy due to this viral pneumonia – I missed out on being involved in Wednesday’s “D-bloopers” (my brain couldn’t really think of which blooper to tell about – too many over the past 40+ years). So, while I have some renewed energy, here I go with today’s topic of discussion. Can’t wait to read what others have to say – check it out them out at this link .

1) How when I drink water – that it squirts out the end of my fingers due to multiple vampire pricks over the past 30+ years of blood testing. I am like a fountain.2) Wondering if I’ll wake up in the morning with a good blood sugar (5-7 mmol/l) or bad blood sugar (over 10 mmol/l). I’m anal about my blood sugars aren’t I?

3) Wondering what it’s like to be not be a diabetic – would it be any different then my life today as I play a game of pokerat the casino each week?

4) Depression goes along with diabetes (am going through this at present – not fun at all).

5) Losing my eyesight – I wouldn’t be able to watch Glee or see Sprinkles the Diabetes Advocacy Unicorn!6) How I wish my significant other could understand how diabetes affects me even after almost quarter of a century of ball and chain with him - he still doesn’t know when I’m low!

7) That diabetes is increasing in the our big blue marble population – according to WHO – 220 million people around the world have diabetes .

8) What diabetic doesn’t dream of eating without having to think about blood sugar control and all the other crap we have to worry about? I mean – imagine pigging out on bacon? (this one is for you George).

9) Low blood sugars – I can function even at 2.0 mmol/l – but it’s not good at all for any of us diabetics to go low like this (does it kill off brain cells I wonder?).

10) Other diabetics who ask for my advise – then tell me – they don’t have time to do what I do – they are too busy with work, etc. Meanwhile they are having eyesight problems, not able to feel things properly with their fingers , etc. It saddens me to no end (I couldn’t be a doctor – I think I’d have a nervous breakdown with patients like that).

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